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Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 40, 25 March 1942, Page 5

W\Kl)i:\S AM) Till'] LAW Sir, - It. was with considerable interest tthat, I read your timely editorial last week referring to the assault on a warden whilst on patrol duty. It seems to me that it is the duty oL' the chief warden to go to some length to have this anomaly in the law amended. I cannot help wondering if (he offender would have got. off with a fine of 2 0/- if lie had struck a policeman in the same circumstances, and if is obviously au anomaly when the law does not provide eyual protection lor the layman who is at a much greater disadvantage. Had the warden been armed with a good stout waddy and returned blow for blow. I would like to know who would' have been the criminal in (lie eyes of (.he law. Is it. possible that a clever lawyer could have so juggled with (.ho law as to make the offended more guilly than the offender.' Truly Charles Dickens was r.'gh! when he made his terse comment about the law.-- I am etc., "VVM. TOOM ATI I. Sir - Your leader referring to the cast; of an assault, on an I-LKS. warden. was cerl ainly interesting, but there's also another aspect ol' the question — that of fiie protection of Ihe public from the attentions of officious warden:;. The writer does not. for one moment condone the assault mentioned by you. but was the warden concerned courleous or tactful in the matter' .Many are neither. Some wardens seem to take a delight in being as obnoxious; a:; possible, and there; should be an appeal from this type. One case there are many .similar--will serve as an illustration. The occupants of a house had retired and all lights were out, but a small lire was burning i;i an open fireplace, when a loud knock was heard and on the householder answering he was informed of the slight flicker showing on the leadlights As the room in I question is screened by trees, one! can only assume that a magnifying glass was used to see the light. This was not a black out trial either. 1 would suggest to the Chief Warden that lie change the beats without warning. The results would be interesting. One -warden at least would have to do better than he has in the past. I have seen his particular bathroom like a lighthouse.-—! am etc, FAIR PLAY. ,